10 Self-Care Ideas

Mark your calendars for July 24 because it is International Self-care Day! Take the whole day off to do something you enjoy, and if you can’t take the whole day off make sure you prioritize some time for yourself.

So, what is self-care exactly? Honestly, it’s just as you read it… it’s caring for yourself. Which means it’s about taking an active role in protecting your own mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Self-care is about learning about you, and how you can best protect, and preserve your health amid everything going on around you.

Most of us know how to take care of other individuals and their needs, (ie. our children, families, pets, friends, plants, etc) but we often forget about our own needs in the process. I am extremely guilty of this myself, and running my physical, mental, and emotional health into the ground because I was too busy caring for others.

I know it can be tough to recognize your deteriorating health because when you’re in it, you’re kinda in it, and it takes something BIG happening to finally snap you out of it. (ie. getting sick, having an emotional breakdown, getting really angry, and finally snapping, this list could go on.)

I also want to note that self-care is NOT selfish. I know that social media portrays self-care as lavish vacations, buying expensive things, booking massages or facials, or gorging yourself on sweets.

When self-care is portrayed as something that we don’t have readily available or out of our reach we tend to dismiss it. Thinking ‘Oh I can’t go on a vacation for my self-care so I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.’ This isn’t the best mindset because if we keep going on the path that we are on (positive or negative) we will get burnt out. Yes, even if everything is going great in our lives we still need to find time for self-care because it’s a check-in with your mind and body to see how everything is going. Ie. it grounds us.

Self-care doesn’t look the same to everyone, and it can also look different to us at different stages in our lives. Not all self-care methods will be your cup of tea, and that’s okay! If something doesn’t catch your fancy, just leave it and move on. No need to judge yourself or others who partake in that type of self-care. Self-care comes in many different forms because we are all unique and have different activities that we enjoy.

Below are 10 ideas to spark your self-care routine for this summer. They can feel generic or too broad, but make them unique to you. You know you best. So find what brings you the most joy, and go from there.

1 - Put Down Your Phone

Put your phone down this summer and enjoy the moment you are in. We are too attached to our phones and the fast-paced life we live. Go for a walk and leave your phone at home, or if you’re like me and live your life through pictures, silence all notifications/put your phone on ‘do not disturb.’ Or even better, try something fun and different and leave your phone at home, get a disposable camera, and use that for photos one weekend. I can’t promise the pictures will turn out perfectly, but it’s a fun way to spend the weekend without your phone 😀

2 - Move Your Body

Exercise is not about weight, it’s about health. Humans were not meant to sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day, or be stagnant most of the day. Our bodies are capable of so many things so get out there, go for a walk, go for a swim, do a couple of air squats or burpees. Whatever it is, get your body moving.

3 - Practice Self-Compassion

What does that mean… BE NICE TO YOURSELF! Give yourself some grace, if something doesn’t go the way you planned don’t beat yourself up over it. Just roll with it. Be kind to yourself in some of those tough moments. Try adding some Positive Affirmations to your day.

4 - Take a Shower/Bath

Take a long shower or bath. Something that can wash away the stress of the day. When you’re cleaning yourself, think of scrubbing all the negative emotions and energy out of your body. Invite the good energy back in. Treat yourself and buy a nice new soap or body wash that makes you happy. I like this Brazilian Body Wash part of the Sol De Janeiro line, but it is on the spendier side. Another good one is Tree Hut Moroccan Rose body wash which is not as spendy as the Brazilian, but both smell amazing 😍

5 - Clean Your Space

Maybe your desk is a little cluttered, the garage is busting at the seams, or your nightstand is covered with random stuff. Take a few moments and clean your space. When we get things cleaned and organized we can think better too.

6 - Explore Someplace New

If you want to book a vacation and have the means for it, do it! Or find someplace new in your town, neighborhood, or even your house! Take the time to get out of your comfort zone or routine and find someplace new to explore. Going on an adventure is good for the soul.

7 - Stop Using Social Media

Try not to use social media for a day or a week. I no longer go on Instagram because I always feel more anxious afterward. I like Pinterest the best because it acts as more of a search engine than actual social media, and I don’t have to see everyone’s day-to-day stuff.

8 - Read A Book

This is my favorite self-care idea because I freaking LOVE books. I know not everyone does haha but maybe give it a try. Find a book that interests you, and try to read it all the way through. I love fantasy books as much as I love self-development books. So if you’re looking for a good fantasy book I always recommend A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J Maas. It’s a fun little play on Beauty and the Beast, and if you like dragons then Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is another easy fantasy book to get into.

If you like more self-development books then: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle or 3-Minute Positivity Workbook by Susan Reynolds (not a novel, but small sections of information with journal prompts) Whatever book you choose, enjoy it 🙂

9 - Get More Sleep

Easier said than done some days, I know. But try to get more sleep at night, if it means not binge-watching a TV show that night and going to bed 30 minutes earlier than normal that’s a start! Or try turning off electronics an hour before bed. (This is a good time to read your book lol) Maybe drink some nighttime tea (I love chamomile tea or Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time Tea with melatonin) before brushing your teeth and getting ready for bed to help you wind down from the day.

10. Wash Your Hair

This one is for those of you who have long hair or maybe don’t wash your hair every day because it takes too long. I am this person too. I’ll shower every day but will go days without washing my hair because it just takes too long sometimes.(And before you say – ‘eww that’s gross’ it’s actually not, and it’s better for your hair if you don’t wash it every day) But I’m here to say that I always feel so clean and fresh after I wash my hair. So couple this self-care idea with your shower/bath time and you’re going to feel so much better!

To Recap:

Put Down Your Phone
Move Your Body
Practice Self-Compassion
Take a Shower/Bath
Clean Your Space
Explore Someplace New
Stop Using Social Media
Read A Book
Get More Sleep
Wash Your Hair

If you have other self-care ideas that you love and would like to share with me please send them my way! I would love to hear what type of self-care ideas that help you thrive.

Make a small lifestyle change by implementing self-care somewhere in your daily life. You don’t have to book a massage every day of the week, just small things that bring you joy. But remember, you have to put in the work. You can’t just do self-care today, and think it will get you through the next week. We have to stay consistent and committed to our well-being. Don’t let yourself get lost because it takes more work to find yourself again.

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” -unknown